"You seem stressed." William turned seeing his son walking over with a soft smile. He turned back and looked out to the batch of soldiers training.

"Marcus sent word," William worriedly said as Issac stood next to him.

"If anyone didn’t know better, they may think he was your bastard." William chuckled at his son’s comment but shook his head.

"There are too many things happening at once. I guess it’s my age. Before I wouldn’t even hesitate but now I can’t help but worry." His voice was bitter as Issac rested a hand on his father’s shoulder.

"It just means you have responsibility father. You don’t need me to tell you that."

"Yeah, you’re right." William ran his hand through his hair and laughed. "I can’t believe my son is the one comforting me for this."

"Maybe you’re going senile." William laughed harder before clearing his throat. Issac coughed aswell to stop himself from laughing. "What did Marcus say?"

"He is nearly ready to begin the campaign against the Chent Pirates. He is just wondering how much manpower can be spared for him. Any changes due to the new situation and things like that."

"They stopped raiding the Commonwealth now haven’t they?" Issac asked confused causing William to smirk.

"They should of, but their pirates. Now they are doing it for fun I guess. Esmond and Horace sent reports and apparently, the Commonwealth has been failing to halt them properly. Snowid’s arrival helped things but he is one man, and their military is not prepared for this."

"Sounds a lot like us in the past." William laughed shaking his head.

"He tried to copy Alfred’s reforms but he failed in some aspects. Training, discipline, or whatever, it’s not the same."

"Well, His Majesty is a strange one when it comes to this stuff." Issac clicked his tongue. "Oh well, this is good for us. Keeps the Commonwealth distracted. You know when Marcus will make his move?"

"A month or two, it’s up to Catherine when she lets the fleet move." The two stood in silence for a while looking down at the new batch of soldiers. It was obvious to both of them that despite following the same training regime as those before, there was a slight difference. They were the worst.

"It’s because they mainly come from the city." William could hear the question Issac was about to ask without him talking. "Me and Alfred spoke on length about it. Farmers and people used to constant manual labor were good recruits. A good body that was already trained through years of farmwork. Most from the city lack that."

"Ahh." Issac nodded feeling it made sense. "The Safrid lands. How is the situation?"

William sighed, "Stable. Adrian and Horace have been busy but it seems Horace finally has finished what he was doing over there. Adrian on the other hand has a good couple of years before he finishes the vision His Majesty wants." William turned and looked up and down at Issac. It felt weird for him, but his father’s proud smile made him not want to say anything. "Your new wife. What’s she like?"

Issac scoffed, shaking his head. "We both know it’s a political marriage but she seems to be quite taken with me." He said it playfully and William couldn’t help but chuckle at his son’s boastful words. "She’s a nice woman and it would be a lie if I said I didn’t feel something for her. But it’s too early, maybe these are just the feelings of a newlywed."

"Word of advice. Want an easy marriage, let her have her way. It’s the reason me and your mother have had such a good marriage, I know when to cave."

"I’ll keep it in mind." Issac smiled as the two closed in and gave a short hug. "I got work to do. I’ll introduce her to you soon."

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Waverly Dock. It had changed significantly since Alfred had ordered an expansion of the fleet. Hundreds of workers littered the port with warships taking up every part available.

"Duchess." Marcus walked over seeing Catherine overlooking everything. "How have you been."

"Marcus you ask me this every time. And I give the same answer each time." The man thinly smiled at her words. "Walk with me." Leading him down the dock it was a slow stroll as Catherine and Marcus watched the life of the port. "The final ship will be done within the week. I know you sent word to William, but this is a mission of great importance to His Majesty and he won’t be taking men off it."

"It was simply a concern. I don’t have the same access you do to the Palace."

"I understand." Catherine said quickly, "Give me a month and a half and you will set out. I understand that His Majesty has given you control of the operation but you must understand that Navel combat is vastly different from that on the land. Your tactics and drills mean nothing on the tight deck of a ship."

"Do you wish to say something, Duchess?" Marcus stopped and stared at her. Catherine looked back at him with hesitant eyes.

"My daughter, Sasha. She wishes to join the campaign. I said no and she says she will anyway. I don’t care if she fights, it’s her life, but these savages on the water aren’t human. They see her and by Sol, if we lose she will experience a fate worse than death." 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"Do you want me to convince her? I met her Duchess and it’s impossible."

"No, I wouldn’t ask you to begin a hopeless endeavor. But if she will be there, I am tempted to ask you to give her control of the fleet and operation until you make landfall."

"You know I can’t do that. This is my punishment from His Majesty."

"You are out of your depth Marcus," Catherine said harshly. "The sea is our domain and you don’t understand the first part of it. Give my daughter control of the fleet." Biting her lip she sighed. "Do this and I will assist you in achieving the General’s seat when William retires."

Marcus’s eyes went wide upon hearing that. "Tempting, but if she fails."

"You will take the blame." Catherine didn’t mince her words and quickly replied. "His Majesty has already made it clear that all failure and success are yours. My daughter fails you take the blame. If she succeeds, take the glory, I don’t care, and neither should she. She already is the future Duchess. These meaningless honors are nothing compared to that."

Marcus rubbed his eyes and looked out to the sea. "Fine." With a heavy sigh, he agreed. Even he knew that he couldn’t lead a navy. He was a good soldier and commander but the world of naval combat was vastly different.

"Thank you. I hope you will keep her safe, and if things look bad." Catherine closed her mouth and walked forward. "I ask you as a Mother Marcus. If our loss is inevitable, don’t let those savages have my daughter."

Marcus closed his eyes and lowered his head. Opening them Catherine could see a cold sharpness. "I understand." His voice was unwavering and Catherine could tell he was being honest. With a smile, she grabbed his hand.

"Thank you."

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Isra hummed a small tune as she finished signing documents. It was one from her old world, one of the few things she still remembered properly. "It’s nice," Alfred said happily walking over. Going behind her, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and kissed her cheek.

"A fond memory." Grabbing his hand she turned, the two sharing a long kiss. "Why are you here? You never see me when I work."

"I have everything finished for the schism." Isra stood up with excitement and ran over to the sofa, dragging Alfred with her. Sitting down she looked at him with bright eyes.

Alfred chuckled seeing her over-the-top display but didn’t say anything, only admiring it. "First of all. You are looking at the new head of faith." Alfred said with a fake arrogance as Isra looked him up and down.

"Not so impressive." She said jokingly and Alfred frowned grabbing her. The two fell on the sofa and Alfred looked down at her, with mischievous eyes.

"It’s bad to lie Isra." He smiled and leaned in for another deep kiss, Isra happily receiving it. For her, it felt like it lasted an eternity but she pushed him up and smirked.

"Maybe a little impressive." She leaned in again, kissing him, and Alfred for the first time in a while felt his mind clear up. His worries and fears seemingly vanished as he was absorbed into the moment.

It was freeing. For so long he had been plagued by the past, but now he couldn’t care less, only wishing to enjoy the moment and let himself get consumed by it. Reaching up he grabbed the small golden chain of his cloak and ripped it off. He reached down and grabbed Isar’s clothing and slowly began to pull it off.

Isra pulled away for a second and looked up at Alfred with serious eyes. "Are you sure?" Her voice was full of worry and Alfred felt his heart melt hearing it as he smiled. Even when it was something she wished for, she still worried for him. He couldn’t help but think he had been selfish. Burdening her with himself.

He stayed looking at her for seconds, but it was brief. Closing his eyes, for the first time in a while it was only darkness, not his mind bringing up horrid memories of the past. Bringing her in closer, he let his actions answer for him.